The Next Worship - Glorifying God in a Diverse World

"We have lost the language of love in our worship-love for God and love for our neighbor. This is a book for those who want to recover these loves by practicing reconciliation in worship. The Next Worship shows us how to love God and love our neighbor practically in worship, specifically by sharing leadership and guiding others in change. Through her personal relationships and experience in community Sandra teaches us to create spaces of hospitality, solidarity and mutuality through worship. I highly recommend this book, having experienced Sandra's leadership and knowing the wealth she has crossing cultures domestically and globally." -- John Perkins, cofounder of the Christian Community Development association and founder of the John and Vera Mae Perkins Foundation
"For many years, Sandra Van Opstal has been leading diverse people to do more than sing of love and justice (Psalm 101:1). She has led them to walk, work and worship God together as one beyond the distinctions of this world that so often and otherwise divide. In The Next Worship, Sandra provides competent insight and practical advice for ministry leaders seeking to present a more credible witness of God's love for all people in an increasingly diverse and cynical society." -- Mark DeYmaz, founding pastor of Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas, president of Mosaix Global Network, and author of Building a Healthy Multi-ethnic Church
"For those of us who are committed to the work of Christian community development in vulnerable neighborhoods, being rooted in a faith community with an expression of worship that is rooted in our struggle for justice and reconciliation is essential. Sandra's new book, The Next Worship: Glorifying God in a Diverse World, provides a much-needed resource for leaders who are committed to crafting worship experiences rooted in diversity." -- Noel Castellanos, author of Where the Cross Meets the Street
"In worship we stand at the intersection of heaven and earth. The banquet of heaven is brought to the people of earth, and the groans of creation are brought to the throne of heaven. This worship isn't first of all something we do. It's something in which we participate, for all worship is vicarious as we participate by the Spirit in the Son's intercession and worship as high priest. Therefore, far less important than the appeal of particular styles of worship is the privilege of our participation in this ongoing triune worship. But we need to be prepared for this: it doesn't come naturally. We tend to be captivated by our own voice, and yet worship in heaven joyfully incorporates the rich voices of people from all cultures and nations. Sandra offers us a field guide to prepare us now for the wondrous diversity of heaven's worship. Ultimately, the only relevant worship and the only relevant church in our world is ethnically diverse. The Next Worship helps guide us on the way." -- Tim Dearborn, author of Short Term Missions Workbook
"Few books have I picked up and read from cover to cover in one sitting. The Next Worship qualifies as one of them. Sandra Maria Van Opstal, a pastor at the Grace and Peace Community in Chicago, Illinois, masterfully addresses throughout this book her questions at the close of her introduction, 'How do we lead worship in communities that are growing increasingly diverse? How do I get my congregation onboard with multiethnic worship? Is it even necessary?' . . . Van Opstal's book makes a valuable contribution and should reside in the library of every pastor and worship leader, and it should serve as a reference work for those who instruct worship and liturgy courses." -- Willie E. Hucks II, Ministry, August 2016